The Eastern Chronicles - Karbi Anglong
The Karbi people are one of the ethnic tribes of Assam who are still facing scarcity of basic devlopement in most of the
important spheres of public life like education, healthcare, irrigation and agriculture, roads and other modes of
communication etc. This naturally rich and beautiful hill district is facing the problem of extremism for many yars. The
right for the self determination of the Karbi people has been the main agenda of Karbi politcs. The key organisations in this
regard are UPDS (United People's Democratic Solidarity) and KLNLF (Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front). UPDS
signed a cease-fire agreement for one year with the Union Government on May 23, 2002. Since then it has been negotiating with
the government. The outfit claims to fight for the cause of Karbi tribes and its declared objective is Hemprek Kangthim,
meaning self-rule of the Karbi people, within the Indian Constitution. Bowing down to the hopes and aspirations of the
people, the remaining extremist organisation KLNLF laid down arms in front of Assam's Chief Minister Mr Tarun Gogoi on 11th
February 2010. They are now standing hand in hand with UPDS for the same cause.
Karbi situation took a very postive turn during recent times by the influence of different poltical and cultural events.
The Karbi cultural society organised its 5 day long Annual Karbi Youth Fest (36th) in its 800 acres of cultural complex in
the hills of Taralangso. It is one of the largest ethnic festival of not only the north east but the whole of India. It was
an attempt for peace and to strengthen indigenous identity. The event was of prime importance due to its current political
changes. Peace is in the air. Fed up with the old system people are now counting on the youth to bring about positive changes
in all spheres of life.
This photo essay, Eastern Chronicles, is a study of the life, culture and politics of this indigenous community in the present context. We travelled from Diphu, Taralagso to the remotest parts of west Karbi Anglong where you have to walk for two miles to find a grocery
shop.
important spheres of public life like education, healthcare, irrigation and agriculture, roads and other modes of
communication etc. This naturally rich and beautiful hill district is facing the problem of extremism for many yars. The
right for the self determination of the Karbi people has been the main agenda of Karbi politcs. The key organisations in this
regard are UPDS (United People's Democratic Solidarity) and KLNLF (Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front). UPDS
signed a cease-fire agreement for one year with the Union Government on May 23, 2002. Since then it has been negotiating with
the government. The outfit claims to fight for the cause of Karbi tribes and its declared objective is Hemprek Kangthim,
meaning self-rule of the Karbi people, within the Indian Constitution. Bowing down to the hopes and aspirations of the
people, the remaining extremist organisation KLNLF laid down arms in front of Assam's Chief Minister Mr Tarun Gogoi on 11th
February 2010. They are now standing hand in hand with UPDS for the same cause.
Karbi situation took a very postive turn during recent times by the influence of different poltical and cultural events.
The Karbi cultural society organised its 5 day long Annual Karbi Youth Fest (36th) in its 800 acres of cultural complex in
the hills of Taralangso. It is one of the largest ethnic festival of not only the north east but the whole of India. It was
an attempt for peace and to strengthen indigenous identity. The event was of prime importance due to its current political
changes. Peace is in the air. Fed up with the old system people are now counting on the youth to bring about positive changes
in all spheres of life.
This photo essay, Eastern Chronicles, is a study of the life, culture and politics of this indigenous community in the present context. We travelled from Diphu, Taralagso to the remotest parts of west Karbi Anglong where you have to walk for two miles to find a grocery
shop.
